TOPIC:

Just looking at the upcoming cricket schedule the one day domestic comp starts this weekend can you believe. The first round of Shield games start on 10/10 and the 1st Test at the Gabba against the Pakis starts on 21/11 so plenty of time for some young batsmen to put their names forward for a spot in the Top 6 as by rights there should be 4 spots up for grabs barring injury.

Beasley Hutton wrote:

Dazzler wrote: I'm disappointed we didn't win the series. Yes we retained the Ashes but we really let a series win slip with poor cricket at Headingly and a cavalier approach to this Test at the selection table and toss.

Let's not let the afterglow of retaining the Ashes mask that we are an average Test team with serious problems with the top and middle order. Pakistan have some deadly pace bowlers and if we paper over the cracks that have emerged in this series and get all comfortable with ourselves again back on the roads in this country we'll be in for an even bigger fall early next year when we step off shore again.

Going to be an interesting opening to the Shield season with arguably four Test spots up for grabs.

Spot on Dazz.

SS Langer can stay on as coach as long as he is nowhere near the selection table...make no mistake Siddle was his choice ditto Harris & Bancroft over Burns/Renshaw.

BH, this series has been a learning exercise for all involved coming from such a low base after the ball tampering. Yes all have to learn some lessons and packing the batting with lefties failed dismally, but learn from it, make adjustments and move forward, cant have the coach not also a selector. A lot of on-field ineptness will be solved once Smith retakes the reins and we'll see what the early shield games throw up regarding batsmen.

True SS....though Langer has come out and said he expects Warner will return to form once back in Aust....Well duh...batting on run filled roads with no around the wicket Broad to face....

But agree Smith back in as capt will improve Aust....as it will strengthen the batting as Carey will come in at 7 for Paine....pretty sure Amir has retired, so not sure who Pakistan have bowling wise....tho that teenager in the WC looked pretty good....Wiaz will play....but he must be getting on....who else do they have?...

Having watched Australia vs England clashes for 40 years (1979/80) now I have attempted to come up with my best side from each nation in their clashes over that time below-

Australia
Hayden
Langer
Ponting
Smith
Border (C)
S.Waugh
Gilchrist w/k
Warne
Lillee
McGrath
Alderman
12th Man- G.Chappell

England
Gooch
Cook
Vaughan (C)
Gower
Pieterson
Stewart w/k
Botham
Flintoff
Broad
Anderson
Willis
12th Man- Boycott

Beasley Hutton wrote: Having watched Australia vs England clashes for 40 years (1979/80) now I have attempted to come up with my best side from each nation in their clashes over that time below-

Australia
Hayden
Langer
Ponting
Smith
Border (C)
S.Waugh
Gilchrist w/k
Warne
Lillee
McGrath
Alderman
12th Man- G.Chappell

England
Gooch
Cook
Vaughan (C)
Gower
Pieterson
Stewart w/k
Botham
Flintoff
Broad
Anderson
Willis
12th Man- Boycott

That's my vintage too and you've done a good job there. Definitely got the Australian captain right. That bloke battled his guts out in shite sides and personified mental toughness. He rightly got to taste success in England at the end of his career which he thoroughly deserved.

12th man is a nice spot for Basher Boycott.

Cheers Dazz.

Greg Chappell probably had more natural talent with the bat then Steve Waugh but I wasnt impressed he didnt tour Pommyland in 1981 (ultimately cost us that Ashes Series) and I loved the way Waugh would grind the Poms into the ground completely disintegrating their confidence and self belief.

As for the Poms side as much as Boycott was bloody tough to get out he was more about himself than the team so he can carry the drinks for the others this time around!

Not sure I would pick a side without a spinner.

For me, the Poms would have Swann for Broad.

Also, for balance, I would want a left arm seamer, which means Johnson for Alderman, though after a bit of research, perhaps not for the Poms.